After more than 50 years, DC Streetcar is back to provide District residents and visitors another transportation option designed to connect our District neighborhoods. Checkout our FAQs for quick answers and stay informed with Resources such as videos, studies and future plans.

The existing H/Benning Line is just the first segment of the DC Streetcar system. Mayor Muriel Bowser has committed to expanding the H/Benning line east (Benning Extension) and west (Union Station to Georgetown). These pages contain planning and public involvement information for both those lines, including other lines that have been studied.

Anacostia Extension

The Anacostia Streetcar Extension project is located in Ward 8’s Anacostia Historic District. In February 2014, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) & Section 106 Evaluation. In October 2014, DDOT released the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and the Section 106 Evaluation for the project. A notification of the FONSI marks the final stage of the planning process for the Anacostia Extension, which began in 2011. A series of public meetings examined the purpose and need of the project, potential streetcar alignments, environmental and engineering findings, and historic and cultural impacts. All background materials for this project can be found in the Project Library.

Project Highlights

As the extension of the Anacostia Initial Line (AIL), which is located between the JBAB North Entrance and Howard Road SE at Firth Sterling Avenue SE, this project will bring the streetcar line to the foot of the 11th Street Bridge near Good Hope Road SE. It is part of the planned Priority Streetcar System for the District.

This streetcar extension line, along with the AIL, will provide Anacostia residents, federal and local employees, and businesses with a modern, reliable, and environmentally friendly transit service. In addition to serving the transit needs in Anacostia, the streetcar construction and operation would help the District to support economic development in Anacostia – one of the District’s four development “hotspots” for future development. Streetcar will also help Anacostia strengthen its community identification and refocus on neighborhood issues. In conjunction with other endeavors initiated by the District and federal agencies, transportation infrastructure improvements are key components to making Anacostia a more sustainable community and attracting new activities to the area. By meeting these goals, Anacostia can become a Gateway to our Nation’s Capital.

Benefits of the project include:

Enhance mobility and connectivity to the Anacostia community

Anacostia has a high level of transit use

The streetcar network would improve access to jobs and educational opportunities

Improved transit connectivity could reduce traffic congestion

Support economic development opportunities

Serve Barry Farm (largest public housing community in the District of Columbia)

Assist Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and other private development projects in the pipelines

Improve job access and open a new market for job growth to benefit local residents in Anacostia

Serve established and emerging federal and district employment centers (JBAB, US Coast Guard, US Department of Homeland Security, DHCD, etc.)

Preferred Alternative

The EA compared the effects of building a streetcar alternative to relying on existing transportation improvements to meet future needs, called the No-build Alternative. Ten build alternatives and the No-build Alternative were evaluated for the Anacostia Streetcar Extension. The selection of the Preferred Alternative (formerly Anacostia 9) was the result of technical information and public comments gathered throughout the study.

Alternative 9 (CSX Railroad Double Track Alternative) would extend north from the AIL northern terminus at Howard Road SE/Firth Sterling Avenue SE intersection, enter the existing CSX railroad right-of-way at Howard Road SE, and continue northeast toward the 11th Street Bridge approach, where it would terminate at a station just south of Good Hope Road SE.

Available for Review

The FONSI, EA, and Section 106 Evaluation are available in the online Project Library and in person at the following locations: